Paul Heaton was the guest on this week's 'Back to Mine' with Tom Dunne.
Formerly of The Beautiful South, Paul's rise to fame began in the 1980s after he formed The Housmartins. This year saw Paul reunite with Jacqui Abbott from The Beautiful South as the duo released the album, 'What Have We Become', and went on tour.
After talking family, health, and not drinking Paul played his first track for the night, Rocking Robin by Michael Jackson.
According to Paul this track was ‘the first evidence that I have the show off gene’.
With a new album out and his work from The Beautiful South still standing the test of time Paul talks to Tom about his career songwriting, the songs that are stuck in his head, and where his influences come from. Brought up on punk rock Paul's brother used to play Career Opportunities by The Clash 'on this terrible little Top of the Pops Woolworths guitar and I'd sing along to it'.
Also the first song he learned harmony to this was Paul's second song of the night.
Always socially aware Paul talks with Tom about the state of politics, broadcasting and society in England today before leaving us with his final song choice of the night.
Let's Stay Together by Al Green is a song that has played an important part in Paul's career 'And it ended up...with me sat on his lap singing to him, very high pitched with him sat there with his pint going bright red and totally trying to deny me'.
